How To: Practice Bar Etiquette

How To: Practice Bar Etiquette And Be The Evening's Star

Etiquette gets a bad rap when it’s misinterpreted as a set of behavioral rules. In reality, there are no real “rules” of etiquette — breaking them won’t put you in the penalty box or behind bars. More precisely, etiquette has been established over many generations not as a set of rigid rules, but as a social guidebook: A group of suggestions on how to make social situations flow smoothly. Etiquette applies to all social situations, and the bar is no different. Inspired by tips from experts such as Peter Post and John Bridges, we’ve decided to show you how to practice bar etiquette.

before the bar

Bar choice and organization

The individual who chooses the bar also assumes the role of the evening’s host. In order to make sure the group is pleased with the bar choice, the host should always give two venue options: the first being the favored choice, while the second serves as a backup.

The organizer is also responsible for getting a table, getting the attention of the server and establishing a designated driver. Additionally, if the group is to run a single tab and needs to keep a credit card with the bar staff, the burden of offering up a card lies with the organizer of the trip.

Finally, the host should make plans ahead of time to avoid the disaster of a large, single bill met by multiple credit cards and no cash. The group should also agree beforehand as to whether or not to split the bill so as to make sure everyone withdraws some cash. After all, when you practice bar etiquette such as this, you will spare youself and the bar staff plenty of time and a few headaches.

Buying rounds

With regard to buying rounds, bar etiquette dictates the following:

Discuss this practice before reaching the bar and decide among your party whether or not the plan is to pay for drinks by the round. If anyone objects, they aren’t obligated to be included. It is poor manners to initiate buying rounds at the bar because it obligates people without their consent, and can put someone in a tight situation if they’re suddenly called upon to buy a round when they don’t want to or can’t afford to.

When buying rounds, bar etiquette dictates that all the men will drink whatever liquor is bought for that round, but women should be consulted as to whether or not they would like to order something else.

Women are not expected to buy a round themselves, whether they’re drinking other rounds or not.

at the bar

Buying her a drink

There is a long-standing misconception that men should — or are expected to — pay for a woman’s entire expense at a bar, from cover charges to appetizers and drinks. This old tradition has conventional roots: There was a time when women in general were not part of the workforce and had no real income. Well, today they are, and they have their own money.